Doha: A Qatari court has sentenced a Muslim barber from an unknown Asian country to 40 lashes over consuming alcohol in the Gulf state, a local daily reported on Monday.

The man was arrested following a complaint by another who accused him of harassing his domestic worker by throwing at her a piece of paper on which he scribbled his phone number, Al Sharq daily reported.

Police found him drunk when they arrived, it said.

“As a Muslim, the Sharia applies in his case,” said the paper, referring to the Islamic law that prohibits alcohol consumption and is the main source of legislation in Qatar.

In addition to the lashes the man was fined 500 riyals (Dh503.97) for causing disturbance.

Alcohol consumption is banned in Qatar, except in hotels and for non-Muslims who obtain special licences.

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